Peekachu, a beluga whale that was recently transferred from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, has passed away at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, as announced by the facility on Wednesday. This unfortunate event coincided with the relocation of two other belugas and four dolphins to Spain on the same day.
The 23-year-old female beluga, part of a group of eight belugas that were transported to Shedd two weeks ago, was described as “unique” by the aquarium. This move was part of an ongoing international rescue operation that commenced a month ago.
According to a blog post, Peekachu, who was blind in one eye and one of the smaller whales, adapted well to her new surroundings despite her challenges. Initially showing progress by consuming squid, herring, and capelin provided by caretakers, Peekachu later experienced a decline in appetite and was diagnosed as dehydrated through a blood test.
Efforts were made to administer medication and fluids to Peekachu on Tuesday evening, but she unexpectedly passed away during the process. A necropsy is currently being conducted to determine the cause of death.
Marineland expressed sorrow over Peekachu’s demise and assured that the remaining whales from their facility are receiving optimal care at Shedd. Federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson extended condolences and acknowledged the efforts of Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in facilitating the transition of these animals.
Meanwhile, four dolphins named Echo, Lida, Marina, and Tsunami left Marineland for a new home in Spain, marking the end of Canada’s captive dolphin population. Animal Justice’s legal advocacy director, Kaitlyn Mitchell, highlighted the longstanding health issues of Marineland’s belugas and raised concerns about the risks associated with their relocation.
Mitchell criticized the rushed relocation process, stating that better care could have been provided to the animals before moving them. She cited previous deaths among exported belugas and emphasized the importance of prioritizing the animals’ well-being over expeditious transfers.
The remaining six belugas at Marineland, the last captive whales in Canada, are scheduled to be transferred to a U.S. aquarium as part of the park’s initiative to relocate all its animals due to financial constraints. Previous attempts to sell the belugas and dolphins to a Chinese aquarium were thwarted by Canadian authorities, leading Marineland to seek assistance from American and Spanish aquariums for the animals’ rehoming.